Educational System
England, being part of Britain, shares its education system. Due to colonization, the British education system, or remnants thereof, is seen throughout the world. Britain is home to some of the leading educational institutions in the world. There are 168 universities and colleges of higher education in Britain, with a total of 1.8 million full and part-time students enrolled in higher education. More than 30 percent of young people in Britain attend college or university. You will find that learning at British universities is much different than that of an American institution in that much more responsibility for learning the material is given to the student. Keeping in mind that there is no standardization of degrees in Britain, teaching methods and assessment vary from institution to institution. In general, academic life in British universities consists of large lectures followed by more intimate tutorials and labs where the information is studied in detail. You are expected to read, research and prepare outside of class time. |
Partner Universities CIS currently partners with the following universities in England: |
People and Culture Diversity and tolerance are words that might be used to best describe England. It is nation of 50 million people of varied backgrounds. The major ethnic groups are Anglo-Saxons, Scots, Welsh, and Irish, but Indians, Pakistanis and many others make England one of the most diverse nations in the world. In line with the population, a majority of the English are Christian and most are members of the Church of England, yet all religions are tolerated and represented. England's greatest artistic contributions have come in the fields of theatre, literature and architecture. You have no doubt seen a play by Shakespeare, read from Chaucer and Dickens or envisioned castles and cathedrals produced by this great nation. The country is also, right or wrong, a treasure house of art and sculpture, from every age and continent. Perhaps England's greatest cultural export has been the English language, the current language of the international community. There are astonishing regional variations in accents. It is not unusual to find those in southern England claiming to need an interpreter to speak to anyone living north of Oxford. |
Geography and Climate People are routinely confused by England's relationship to Great Britain. It is important to note that England, Scotland and Wales are all countries in their own right, and, combined constitute the island nation of Great Britain. Northern Ireland and Great Britain combined are known as the United Kingdom (UK) and if you combine the Republic of Ireland with the UK you have the British Isles. The modern history of Britain is considered to have started around the mid 1400's. By that time Wales had been conquered by England, and Scotland had become part of Great Britain when the King of Scots succeeded to the English throne. Suffice it to say, however, that each country has a rich, elaborate history unto itself. England is the largest of the three political divisions within the island of Great Britain. It is bordered by Scotland to the north, Wales to the west and is no more than 18 miles from France across the narrowest part of the English Channel. Much of England is flat or low-lying. The Cumbrian Mountains and the Lake District are to the west, while a range of limestone hills, known as the Pennines are in the north. South of the Pennines is the heavily populated Midlands. In the southwest peninsula, known as the West Country, is a plateau with good dairy farming, granite outcrops and a rugged coastline. The rest of the country is known as the English Lowlands and consists of farmland, low hills, an industrial belt and the city of London. The English climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds blowing off its relatively warm seas. Inland temperatures do not fall much below freezing in winter, or rise much above 86ºF in summer. The north is the coldest area, while London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in the hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time. |
Health and Safety Violent crimes are still very rare in England and city centers are safe for the most part. With that being said, you should be cautious in areas with which you are unfamiliar. We always advise you to use "common sense" while you are traveling to other countries. While studying in England you will need to have health insurance to cover you in case of an accident. Students who will spend more than six months in England will technically be able to use the national health plan. However, we recommend that you always purchase supplemental insurance. CIS can assist you in making arrangements to purchase comprehensive international health and travel insurance for about $50.00 - $75.00 per month. |
 CIS - Center for International Studies 17 New South Street # 205, Northampton, MA 01060 Toll-free phone 877 617-9090, Phone: 413 582 0407 Fax: 413 582 0327, Request More Information |
